The Mail on Sunday says owner Roman Abramovich is likely to have to stump up another big fee to beat off competition from AC Milan, Juventus and Roma for a goalscorer known as 'Mister Zuverlassig' (Mr Reliable) and tipped to be a star of Euro 2008 for the Germans.

Chelsea scouts have watched him at least four times and on the last occasion saw him claim a stunning hat-trick in a 6-3 win over Werder Bremen, whose attacking midfielder Diego has been touted as a successor to Frank Lampard.